View Full Version : Using 2 1.6X Extenders?


Norman Woo
September 6th, 2002, 02:45 PM
Folks

Is it possible to use two (or maybe more) 1.6X Extenders? I currently have one. I do a lot of sports video and would love to get one of those X-treme closeups shots that you often see in the sports mags.

Thanks

Don Berube
September 6th, 2002, 04:48 PM
OK, this MAY work, but you may lose functionality, wev'e never tested this before at any of the shows, at least I haven't - not sure if Chris has either... It certainly is not officially recommended by Canon hehe

I don't recommend it, seems kinda hacky to me. You won't get nearly as close as you would if you were to use the EF adaptor with a high quality EF lens.

http://www.usa.canon.com/eflenses/lineup/telephotozoom/index.html

I did some testing with both the 70-200mm IS USM and the 100-400mm IS USM lenses last year and was taken aback by how steady the shots were at full tele. Remember, you have to multiply the focal length of the lens you use with the EF adaptor by 7.2 - so that 100-400mm lens becomes a 720-2880mm lens with an f-stop of f5.6 or so, due to the EF adaptor. This lens is around $1500, not bad considering what it does for you, actually that is a great price considering the quality of the optics and the CANON IS. Maybe it is time you start charging for your services if you have not already ;)

You could always reach for a more affordable EF lens to get similiar results, if you have a limited budget. Make sure you bring a good fluid-head tripod or Tiffen SteadyStick, at least a monopod,,, because without the IS, that extreme telephoto focal length will be shaky!

- don

Jeff Donald
September 7th, 2002, 07:23 AM
A very good alternative to the 100-400mm EF lens is the 70-300EF IS lens. Several people here have posted very favorable reviews of the lens. Check out Steve's recent insect shots here http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?s=&threadid=3565 He does alot of work with that lens. I normally use the 100-400 for my wildlife work, but decided to take a look at the 70-300 again. Last weekend I shot some jet skiers and was very impressed by it. The image quality is nearly as good as the 100-400 and about 1/3 the price or less.

Jeff

John Klein
September 24th, 2002, 07:12 PM
IF you can focus, don't need steadyshot, can set an f/stop and have no big money, I'd try an optex to nikon (35mm) adapter and give it a go. Used glass is pretty inexpensive and I'm thinking an 80-200 f/4.5 is going to be quite sharp. I'd love to give my 300mm single focal length lens a try as it's one sharp lens (esp when you compare to something that's supposed to look good at 16 different focal lengths.